FIRE!
Posted on 09/12/2006 6:36:50 PM PDT by xrp
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nonlethal weapons such as high-power microwave devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before being used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday.
The object is basically public relations. Domestic use would make it easier to avoid questions from others about possible safety considerations, said Secretary Michael Wynne.
"If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation," said Wynne. "(Because) if I hit somebody with a nonlethal weapon and they claim that it injured them in a way that was not intended, I think that I would be vilified in the world press."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
I guess we should test F-22s against US civilian airliners then, how about slamming some Tomahawk missiles into the suburbs, just to see if we can hit a car in a driveway -- or how about testing cluster bombs at a Little League baseball game or maybe even a MOAB or Daisy Cutter on a crowd at an NFL game?
WTF?
Thsi is quite possibly the most stupid thing I've ever heard.
fire him right away.
test it on the Taliban in southern afghanistan.
Um... I would not nominate this guy for the next Manhattan project.
He's pulling your leg.
This is about non-lethal weapons, not lethal ones.
That said, since 99.99999999999999% of the people that this would be used on would be lefty nutcases, what's the downside? They get zapped, show no long-term ill effects, then have problems complaining when it gets used on people assaulting an embassy. What's the downside?
Good Lord! What a maroon!!!
We are worried that we may harm someone ON THE BATTLEFIELD in a NON leathal way, that was unintended?
Has our nation gone mad?
Am I losing my mind or does this make sense to anyone?
Mr. Wynne graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and served in the Air Force for seven years, ending his career as a captain and assistant professor of astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He spent three years with Lockheed Martin selling the Space Systems Division to then Martin Marietta. He successfully integrated the division into the Astronautics Company and became the General Manager of the Space Launch Systems segment, combining the Titan with the Atlas Launch vehicles. For the next 23 years, Mr. Wynne held a variety of senior positions at General Dynamics, retiring in 1999 as Senior Vice President where his role was in International Development and Strategy. Throughout his career at General Dynamics, he held positions with the Aircraft (F-16s), Main Battle Tanks (M1A2), and Space Launch Vehicles (Atlas and Centaur) Divisions.
Slippery slopes
Democrat President...
Need I go on?
I think I will wait to read the testimony in context before using an AP report to hang the guy.
Is this what passes for a SECAF these days?
He's not really saying "test" them on the mobs, but "use" them after they've been tested, but before deploying them overseas.
It's hard to claim that US forces are using a "death ray" when you've been zapped by the same thing the last time you started a riot at the G8 meeting.
I recall the tragic testing on African-Americans of the effects of syphillis.
Historical records of said testing are immutable.
What is this officer thinking, and who cleared his statement?
If he thinks testing should start on American citizens, I wait to see if he's the first in the very short line.
Does this turd support the idea that extensive environmental impact studies be done before any sortie? (an idea actually proposed during the Xlinton administration) DUBYA - FIRE HIS @$$ NOW!
His PR officer must've been stoned.
Seig Heil?
Yes. There was a big stink a few years back over the Israelis intended use of a percussion weapon that did not kill but caused many people to go permanently deaf in the area. There is also a prohibition on using laser weapons that will blind but not kill.
but test it on *him* first!
That's the us air farce for ya. Hey - they teach in their version of a war college that war is NOT to close in, engage, and destroy your enemy.
They actually teach in the USAF Academy that the purpose of war is to encourage the other side to the barganing table.
You can put lipstick and a silk dress on a sow, but you still have a female pig.
I infer from your post that you fear international public relations recriminations more than the effects of said weaponry on U.S. citizens.
The whole Jihadist ensemble which occupies many countries would be a nice testing ground, not the citizens of the United States of America.
Think damnit.
We don't need the military to blast us peons into next week. SWAT teams work just fine/s
What part of NON-LETHAL is at issue on this thread???
The problem is it is never going to be used on the crowd attacking an embassy.
Come on "wepons of the future"? Do you really see US Marines jumping out of helicopters with "paralyzing flashlights" and "purple goop grenades"?
A lot of these future weapons will never see action by US personel overseas but they will be used against US citizens. Not necessarily or even probably lefties either.
Remember Dade County during the 2000 Florida recount? What if one of these weapons had been employed against the group trying to stop the recount.
Crowd control? What crowd? What reason?
It could just as easily be turned on those "danged second amendment nutters."
Be careful what you wish for.
Disgusting!
I used to be able to take the "Air Farce" jokes in good humor, but this sumbitch is going to make them all too true!
downside is they'll make something up!
This entire thread is devoted to "non-lethal weapons."
Are you telling me that as a retired Army chaplain that you would agree to testing of said weapons on the citizens of this nation?
I'll grant you the benefit of the doubt, perhaps you are just tired.
ok so we can't put panties on a terrorists head but we can use these weapons systems against US civilians.
Did someone forget a heavy sarcasm tag?
"We don't need the military to blast us peons into next week. SWAT teams work just fine/s"
SWAT can only kills one at a time. They are looking for wholesale violence at a level only Stalin dreamed of.
I think the problem is the use of the word..."test".
This microwave thingy has been in testing for years. It is tested, but they want to get whiners and complainers familiar with it's effects, before taking it to the battlefield for use internationally.
They fear a backlash, as they are getting from some on this thread.
This thing is no more lethal than mace, and less problematic as far as occasional suffocation.
As far as I know, it just makes one uncomfortable and they get out of the area. No worse than loud music, or noise, but earmuffs will not protect against it.
But a tinfoil suit might!
The brown note?
So "brown note" technology has already been used?
Guernica
LOL.....I have a suspicion that you are not kidding. It's kinda funny to me, and sorry if I sound trite, but this gizmo would see use as a replacement for a water cannon of something like it.
Last I checked, we don't have too many of these situations. No rational person would be standing in front of a water cannon, but some seem to fear the implementation of a device like this, and I wonder why?
The last big bash was in Seattle, during the anarchist riots. This little microwave hotfoot would have been ideal. Look at all the injuries and busted up store fronts you would have prevented.....LOL
This is Mr Wynne's exit strategy. He wanted early retirement so as to go to work as a lobbiest for some defense contractor. mission accomplished.
Testing such weapons on rioting mobs tests their effectiveness in dealing with crowds.
As long as the weapons have gone through rigorous testing to be safe for use on normal, reasonably healthy individuals, I don't see why they shouldn't be used for crowd control in riots.
As for those with strange heart problems or other preexisting conditions, I guess they should check with their doctor before rioting.
These war intended to be non-lethal crowd control weapons. You're comparing them to testing cluster bombs on a little league game is inane.
I could see such gadgets being used in extreme situations (L.A. riots, anyone?) I also wouldn't mind seeing them used at the border.
nutters?
Do you listen to Hugh Hewitt?? : - ) Great! Also a great word.
Mooooo
too morbid?
The AP and CNN editor did a horrible hack job. This story has nothing to do with the headline.
WTF is the Air Force doing with non-lethal weapons?
The entire point of the military is to kill people and break things. If you want to send a message, the only message that non-lethal weapons send it that we aren't serious and if you mess with the U.S., you'll live to tell about it.
Do your job, General, kill someone.
NON-LETHAL
We already use non-lethal weapons.... Tazers, water cannons, rubber bullets, etc.
I don't recall them ever using those in wartime. Do you have a citation showing where the US has used them in wartime?
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